Port of Spain – Barbados Royals stumbled to their first defeat in this year’s Caribbean Premier League on Thursday in Trinidad.
Twenty20 World Cup-bound West Indies batsman Brandon King hit 46 and followed up a disruptive spell from Pakistani left-arm spinner Imad Wasim to propel Jamaica Tallawahs to a six-run win under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method in their rain-affected match at Queen’s Park Oval.
Barbadian all-rounder Jason Holder bagged 3-33 from his allotted four overs, and World Cup-bound Windies left-arm pace bowling teammate Obed McCoy grabbed 2-19 from three overs to lead the Royals attack, as Tallawahs were set 147 to win.
King lashed three fours and two sixes from 33 balls and anchored an opening stand of 53 with left-hander Amir Jangoo and 46 for the second wicket with Shamarh Brooks to give Tallawahs a sound start to their chase.
But Holder and McCoy destabilised their opponents with four wickets for 17 in the span of 35 balls, but a six from Tallawahs captain Rovman Powell off Holder to put the Jamaican outfit ahead on the DLS par score.
Soon the rain came with three overs remaining and prompted an early end to the match to confirm the fourth win in seven matches for the Tallawahs, consolidating them in second in the league table on eight points.
Earlier, a top score 74 from Quinton de Kock and 34 from fellow South African left-hander and captain David Miller enabled Royals to rebuild their innings and finish on 146 for six from their allocation of 20 overs.
Sent in to bat, the Royals top order was undermined when Wasim removed Rahkeem Cornwall, Kyle Mayers, and Corbin Bosch cheaply inside the Power Play and the Barbadian outfit were reeling on 17 for three after six overs, and 47 for four at the halfway stage.
But De Kock smashed seven fours and three sixes from 43 balls and shared 83 with Miller to resurrect the Royals.
Wasim was the pick of the Tallawahs bowlers with 3-14 from three overs.
Summarised scores:
Barbados Royals 146 for six off 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 74, David Miller 34; Imad Wasim 3-14). Jamaica Tallawahs 126 for five off 17 overs (Brandon King 46, Amir Jangoo 29; Jason Holder 3-33, Obed McCoy 2-19).